Listed Building: Finedon Hall (1293682)

Country house. Probably C17 and C18, datestones 18S5, 1851, 1856 and 1859 record existing alterations, probably by E.F. Law, for William Mackworth-Dolben. Ironstone ashlar with limestone dressings and slate roof. H-plan, Tudor-Gothic style. Entrance front is 2 storeys with attic. Centre of 5-window range with flanking gables breaking forward. Central porch has panelled door with 4-centred moulded stone head with decorated and inscribed spandrels. Circular turret attached to left of porch forms part of 10-light stone-mullion window with transom, havinq moulded stone panels and quatrefoil parapet above. Ground and first floor windows have C18 plain stone architraves with keyblocks and those at first floor have C19 4-light stone-mullion windows with transoms, inserted into the earlier surround. Centre bay breaks forward with quatrefoil parapet at eaves level and gargoyles at corners, 3 attic windows have Tudor style gables with 3-light stone-mullion windows with shields and trefoil above. Projecting gable to left: has 2-window range similar to centre range. Projecting gable to right has large C19 22-light, square stone-mullion bay window. Return wall to left is similar, of one-window range. Rusticated ashlar quoins to all corners and plain castellated parapets with ashlar copings. Ashlar stacks at ridge and end. Inscription to left gable "Gwell Angau"; continuation in right gable "Na Vywilydd" is missing. Various heraldic shields. Garden front to left of entrance front of 7-window range. Door openings to left and right of centre have moulded stone surrounds, that to left has segmental pediment. 2-storey canted stone bay windows to centre and left of range have quatrefoil parapets. Similar single-storey square stone bay to far left. Windows have stone mullions some with transoms and C18 plain stone architraves. 2- and 3-light attic windows set in Tudor style gables, some now missing. Remains of various inscriptions and carved heads. Elevation to right of main front is plain in similar style with attached wall and ashlar gatepier. Rear elevation has projecting gable to left and twin gables to right. Centre 3-window range, one blocked, with C18 plain stone surrounds with keyblocks, Gable to right has tall, 6-light stone-mullion staircase window with transom. Forms part of a group of buildings including The Museum Tower, Bell Tower, Old Chapel and attached wall (q.v.) (Buildings of England: Northamptonshir, p.210; Finedon Otherwise Thingdon by J.C.H. Bailey, p.81; Country Life July 13th, 1901, p.148).

Record last edited

Jul 19 2022 4:22PM